Obituary: Charles Edwards

Friday

Dec 7, 2012 at 11:46 AMDec 7, 2012 at 11:48 AM

Charles A. “Charlie” Edwards, 91, of East Moline, formerly of Geneseo, died Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, at Illini Restorative Care Center, Silvis. Funeral services celebrating his life were held Tuesday, Dec. 4 at the Geneseo Chapel of Vandemore Funeral Homes, Ltd. The Rev. Lynn Bergren officiated. Burial was in Oakwood Cemetery, Geneseo, where military honors were accorded by the Don Cherry VFW Post No. 5083. A visitation was held Monday, Dec. 3 at the funeral home where a Masonic ritual was conducted by Stewart Lodge No. 92 AF&AM. Memorials may be left to the Charlie Edwards Memorial Fund.

Charles A. "Charlie" Edwards, 91, of East Moline, formerly of Geneseo, died Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, at Illini Restorative Care Center, Silvis. Funeral services celebrating his life were held Tuesday, Dec. 4 at the Geneseo Chapel of Vandemore Funeral Homes, Ltd. The Rev. Lynn Bergren officiated. Burial was in Oakwood Cemetery, Geneseo, where military honors were accorded by the Don Cherry VFW Post No. 5083. A visitation was held Monday, Dec. 3 at the funeral home where a Masonic ritual was conducted by Stewart Lodge No. 92 AF&AM. Memorials may be left to the Charlie Edwards Memorial Fund.

He was born on Nov. 3, 1921, in Geneseo, the fourth son of Dave and Harriet (Wildman) Edwards. He married Joan Armstrong in 1944. He later married Gail Floto in 1966. At a very early age, Charlie engaged in farming, both on the family farm and later on other farms. Charlie served in the Army. He wanted to so badly that he fudged his age. When his real age was determined shortly after enlistment, he was sent back home. During the years of 1945 and 1946, he proudly served in the Japanese Theater as a rifleman and military policeman with the 519th Military Police Battalion, guarding the General's house and supply warehouse. He also worked for the Geneseo Telephone Company, as a manager of Edwards Ready-Mix, and retired from International Harvester East Moline Works in 1983. He was a lifetime member of the AF&AM Stewart Lodge No. 92.

During retirement, Charlie and other neighborhood retirees formed the "37th Avenue Government," of which Charlie was the magistrate. They had many council meetings in Charlie's garage and related tales (some of them probably "tall tales") of their work and life experiences.

Charlie enjoyed spending time with friends and relatives, and especially when his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren came to visit. He also enjoyed playing cards (played in a number of local Euchre tournaments) and watching sports on TV, especially boxing and baseball.

Survivors include his wife, Gail; three sons and spouses, Dick and Denise of Springfield, Greg of Geneseo and Scot of East Moline; two grandsons and spouses, Ryan and Tracy Edwards of Lancaster, Calif. and Eric of Springfield; five great grandchildren, Kailee, Chloe, Chelsea, Brody and Anna Edwards; and one brother, Horace of Galesburg. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Dale, John and Arlan and daughter-in-law, Connie Edwards.